UNDP Jobs - 50801- Project Manager - China-Zambia South-South Renewab

Project Manager - China-Zambia South-South Renewable Energy Technology Transfer - (Open to Zambian Nationals Only)

Location :

Lusaka, ZAMBIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-Dec-2014

Application Deadline :

07-Nov-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-9

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year, Renewable

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

4 Years

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Department of Energy under the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development, has received support from UNDP with funding from Danish Government to implement add title of the project. The project is part of Denmark’s focus on South-South Cooperation, to enable better and more coherent cooperation between China and countries in Africa, in particular around the promotion of the UN’s Sustainable Energy for All initiative (SEE4ALL). It is in this regard that UNDP was coordinating the development of two projects, one with Zambia and one with Ghana, with a goal of ensuring a more holistic transfer of renewable energy technologies from China. The projects largely focus on the modalities required to make the local absorption of renewable energy technologies effective, including removing barriers and building local capacities, know-how and best practices.

This project has been developed with the Zambian Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development and China’s Ministry of Science and Technology and the advice of stakeholders from government, the private sector and research institutions in Zambia and China.

The project aims to support the access to electricity for rural communities in Zambia. It will do so through the creation of an enabling environment for renewable energy technology deployment and up-scaling, removing market barriers for introduction of improved renewable energy technologies and through the strengthening of South – South Cooperation between Zambia and China.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Manager will report to the Department of Energy Director and the UNDP Environment Advisor and will lead the project team through the planning and delivery of the Project. The Project Manager will manage the project on a day-to-day basis on behalf of the Department of Energy, within the Government and UNDP procedures; with policy guidance from the Project Steering Committee (Project Board). The Project Manager’s prime responsibility is to ensure that the project produces the results specified in the project document, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost. The Project Manager will be responsible for financial management and disbursements, with accountability to the Department of Energy and UNDP. The Project Manager will work closely with other responsible parties, the UNDP China/Zambia Country Offices and the Regional Bureaus.

Management of the project:

This entails daily oversight and coordination of implementation of the project activities including:

Recruitment and supervision of technical and training expertise as required for implementation of the project;
Developing and maintaining close linkages with relevant sectorial government agencies, UNDP, NGOs, civil society, international organizations and implementing partners of the project;
Coordinating the project team in carrying out their duties at an optimum level through ensuring efficient and effective resource utilization;
Coordinating inputs into annual results-based work plans and logical frameworks as endorsed by the management;
Preparing detailed annual breakdowns of the work plan for all project objectives and preparation of quarterly work plans;
Coordinating inputs into all project reports as required (including Annual Project Reports, Inception Report, Quarterly Reports and the Terminal Report);
Preparing quarterly status and financial reports for comments and approval by the Implementing Partner and UNDP Country Office;
Coordinate the establishment of sub-national project Task Teams;
Organize annual task team meetings for experience sharing and lesson learning.

Provision of Monitoring and Progress Controls:

The Project Manager will report to the Department of Energy Director and the UNDP Environment Advisor. He/she will work closely with other staff involved in the programme, UNDP Country Office staff and project counterparts as appropriate:

Compiling, analyzing, summarizing, recording and maintaining information on project activities and its financial data;
Handling all general administrative matters of the project that cannot be resolved by the Financial/Administrative Associate;
Ensure all general administrative matters of the project are managed effectively.

Preparation of project reports:

Preparation of project progress reports (financial and technical), background material for use in discussions and briefing sessions.

Project Management:

Preparation of required budget revisions and drafting requests for disbursements of funds under the project;
Assisting in the compilation of required documentation for project audits;
Support the Director of Energy in the implementation of the audit recommendations in a systematic manner;
Supporting the monitoring of project activities by previewing a variety of records, including control plans, progress reports, project inputs, budgets and financial expenditures;
Undertaking visits to project sites and preparing reports on them.

Knowledge building and sharing:

Preparation, updating and maintenance of project publicity materials such as brochures;
Distribution of project literature to all interested parties.

Event Management – Organizing workshops and meetings:

Assisting in the organization of workshops, seminars, and round table meetings including preparation of workshop materials and tools;
Travel for all project staff;
Ensuring payment of per diems, and other legitimate payments related to the project is done efficiently;
Documenting of all project meetings and other activities as required.

Asset management:

Supervising the maintenance of stores and office equipment associated with the project;
Supervising the maintenance and updating asset registers.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to objectives and mission of the project;
Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Promotes knowledge management in the project and learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of the project.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
Ability to apply development theory to the specific project context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations;
Ability to manage for results: translates strategic aims into achievable plans, with established priorities, monitors them, making periodic adjustments as required.

Leadership and Self-Management:

Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master of Science Degree in Energy field covering areas such as renewable energy, energy policy and technology transfer;
Qualifications at diploma, certificate or Bachelor’s level in Project Management, Public Administration and Business Administration are an added advantage.

Experience:

Minimum five (5) year’s relevant work experience, with at least three (3) years’ experience managing development projects;
Experience working with government and implementing partners providing management advisory services is required.

Language Requirements:

Written and spoken proficiency in English.